Prologue
I run through the forest and feel the wind through my hair. The feeling of freedom that nothing else can give. I come in sight of home. Our homes up in the trees are high above the ground. "Mother!" I call in Elvish. I am greeted by the comforting voice of my mother. All of a sudden, I am as light as a feather. Little light balls carry me to my mother's arms. She hugs me and scolds me, " You know that you aren't supposed to go to the ground, right?" "Yes," I mumble. I know she is right. As Wood Elves, we stay up in the safety of the trees. We are not supposed to leave unless allowed by the Elder Council.
Mother then smiled sadly at me and persisted, "Be careful and do not let your father find out." I nodded. In a more cheerful voice she stated, "Tonight we have a Lambë. So do not be wandering for too long." Right as she finished, I bolted off for another adventure. Just not on the ground. I weaved my way through the crowd of people going on the bridges form one place to the next. I would let no one stop me from reaching my goal. I am then grabbed, and I start to try to break free till I hear my father's booming voice. " What do you think you are doing!" My father asked frustratedly. My eyes lowered and I prepared for the worst. "General Rhistel!" Father immediately dropped me to bow to High Mage. "I have a task for you that should only be spoken in private." High Mage then winked at me when Father was not looking. Father then mumbled to me, "I will deal with you later."
Mother then tugged me and worriedly fretted, "Andrea, you need to stay out of trouble. One of these days..." her voice trailed off, but her look was that of concern. I followed Mother back home. She sat me down and brushed my hair. I looked in the mirror and saw our silvery white hair and blue eyes. I looked every bit like Mother. Father on the other hand had black hair and black eyes. We sat in silence as she brushed my hair. The sound of everyone preparing for the Lambë was but a background melody. I look into Mother's troubled eyes. Her daze comes to an end when someone knock on our door. Mother and me go to the door and see that it is High Mage. Mother bows and I hide behind Mother's skirt. He smiles sweetly at me and offers to escort us to the Lambë.
We arrive and there is plenty of dancing and songs. High Mage goes to the table of the Elder Council. I start to run but then Mother tugs my dress and tells me, "Do not wander where I cannot see you, and please be careful." She lets me go and I make my way through the crowd to see what is going on. First Speaker gets up and the crowd goes silent. "Today we are here to celebrate Merendi Ilmenya!" The crowd cheers. "During this time, we celebrate the once every one-hundred-year blue moon! Now let the Lambë begin!" Music starts playing and people all around are dancing.
Laughing and music fills the large platform in the trees, and all is merry and joyous.
All of a sudden, our joyous occasion is interrupted.
We are out of nowhere under attack. Humans have found our hide out in the forest at last. Elves all around are scrambling and screaming. I trip and fall, but I am caught by High Mage. He carries me to the edge of the platform and uses his fëa to bring me to the ground. "Run! DO NOT TURN BACK!" He yells before I see him get stabbed. I turn around and run. I run as fast as my seven-year-old legs will take me.
I hear humans behind me chasing me.
I have to run. If not for myself, then for the sake of my home. I slip through the trees and then plant myself in some tall grass near a tree. It is dark thankfully and they will not be able to see me. I hold my breath as I hear human's voices speaking. Are they searching for me?
